AOA recognizes Representative Schilling for his work

April 6, 2011

The American Optometric Association (AOA), which has more than 36,000 members across the U.S., presented U.S. Representative Bobby Schilling with the 2011 AOA Healthcare Leadership Award for his work in creating better policy issues for healthcare and small businesses.

Schilling has been working to ensure that optometric practices are not sidelined by such government forms as the IRS Form 1099, which has now expanded due to healthcare reform and will take effect in 2012.

With the backing of Schilling, a legislation that was sponsored by the AOA to repeal the new IRS Form mandate successfully passed in Congress and is now moving to the U.S. Senate for approval.

"Representative Schilling has made full use of his background as a successful small business owner to quickly emerge as a respected leader among the newly-elected members of Congress," said Joe Ellis, the AOA president. "We've seen how he listens to the concerns of patients and doctors in his district, and takes action to safeguard access to quality care."